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There was a similar article in 2008 for “2009”. I’m not sure what they are looking at. I’m not as pessimistic as others on this site, but I’m thinking that by 2018 LA as a profession will have likely just gotten its stride back (in whatever form is anyone’s guess).

Here is my predictions:

2010 – a flat fairly dead year. – minimal hiring
2011 -…[Read more]

Stapleton, yes the parkway planting is the best thing that projects got going for it in my opinion. Otherwise, I think the scale feels just huge and the parkway itself makes it feel even less walkable and disjointed in my opinion. I actually like *some* of the architecture though.

What about a TND that is 60 miles plus from the nearest major urban center?

I agree. I think the planning principles of NU are going in a very good direction. Asked the same question, architects tend to respond more to the architectural styling which they mostly detest rather than the planning.

With regard to greenfield development I’ll give you…[Read more]

After brushing up on the principles of new urbanism (http://www.newurbanism.org/), its tough to hate the concepts.

My problem is with TNDs that pop up as greenfield development taking funding, density, and emphasis away from true urban centers. Most of these new developments are on the periphery of an existing city so residents still end up…[Read more]

That Celebration is the poster-child for New Urbanism. gag.

I have to say I really like Stapleton, though. They had me sold with the allee of Quercus fastigiata and lots of grasses.

Some of the municipalities here on Cape Cod require bioswales and/or bioretention ponds on all commercial sites regardless of size. We are seeing and being able to participate in more environmental solutions due to regulation. Land is very valuable and limited here, so anyone doing anything (note that I am careful not to use the word – developer)…[Read more]

I was completely being sarcastic and ironic in elaborating on the idea of ‘satirical ‘ landscape writings,. It was a response to to Richard Longman’s post that “sarcasm is easy – what about satire..” Interesting direction the postings went, after that…Landscape ‘satire’ does not sound very interesting to me, actually..

The NPS wants people who went to 160 credit (5-year) LA programs or they want you to have a lot of experience in the kind of work they do. I think its a little elitist myself. They do strike me as interesting jobs, even though most of them require living and working in a remote location.

Green Infrastructure seems to be the global buzz-word at the moment. Its not directly related to your question but the Australian Institute of Landscape Architects and the Landscape Institute in the UK have released guidelines on Green Infrastructure – see http://www.aila.org.au/greeninfrastructure/ and http://www.landscapeinstitute.org/PDF/Contrib…[Read more]

In Illinois we had a bill in our state legislature las year that was to require green infrastructure and it also named LA’s as a resource. That bill was changed into a legislative directive to the EPA to further study the issue and come back with a report. Check out the Illinois EPA web sight and you will find more. There was a briefing today on…[Read more]

That was not the plan Richard. However, it is a compelling idea. I think it could be a regular column.
Feel free to send me satirical LA scenarios everybody. We will see if it works.

contour@carbonproductions.net

I too have gotten into Flash in the last few years. I built a flash website in 2007 when I last switched jobs and in the last year completely redid it with a stronger UI using AS 2.0. Its amazing what i’ve learned in the last two years and the quality difference.

I’m still employed…knock on wood…but its officially ready as of the end of last…[Read more]

“satire” in writings about landscape design..and construction. now that is a novel idea..Lots of in – jokes..the satiric set of specs, the satiric design, the satiric cost estimate..hee hee..too weird..how about satiric irrigation plans..

I see our field as needing sociological landscape design analysis. I see the model as the architecural critic…[Read more]

Humor and sarcasm are easy but ..it takes a good writer for satire.

Is this where you’re going with the new web-site Alec?

Jim-

Have you been checking the government postings as well as craigslist, ASLA, and Land8?

I saw an opening for a NPS Landscape Architect, but I was underqualified to apply. I’ve been seeing some ads come up on craigs list sporadically. Granted, the craigslist jobs aren’t always the best gigs, but it’s something.

I also keep my folio ‘friends only’ now. I’ve gotten myself in some trouble in the past regarding sharing (too much) information via a public forum. Land8 googles very well.

Alec, I may be interested. I love to write, and love LA, lots of opinions..I also have a really boring gov. job that would afford me time to do articles..I worked as a reporter in the eighties, this year I wrote an article for the company rag on a garden our office designed, an article for my alma mater alumni rag, and presented a paper at the…[Read more]

Budgetary Cost = 3 x plant material! Old rule of thumb, but it is more complex than that.

You might not want to make it that simple. 100 sf of groundcover could be 10 plants at 30 dollars each, or 100 plants at 9 dollars each. The cost would vary greatly for a groundcover.

As it is now in this Virginia Beach, VA office, we break it up by the…[Read more]

Having had one English class in my freshman year does not make me an English scholar, which makes correcting the corrector irresistible. It is also irresistible for you to trap me as a pay back. I appreciate that. I’ll respond so as to not deny you the opportunity.

I’m going to suggest that the actual subject of the sentences, all three of them,…[Read more]

Grammar is good as long as spell check can find it!
Humor is subjective as it’s sure to tick someone off!
Ideas are easy to come by in this day and age of debate and sarcasm
Action depends on if the piece sturs someone up enough to do something… or justs sends them back to the couch to watch Dr. Phil.
I’ll follow your directions and will send…[Read more]